Mormons Celebrate

March 14, 1992

Local members of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will commemorate the organization's 150th anniversary today.

The local program, which involves the eight chapters that comprise the Newport News Stake Relief Society, begins at 11 a.m. in the headquarters building of the church at 902 Denbigh Blvd., Newport News.

The observance features a live satellite broadcast linking relief societies in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, England, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa and Taiwan.

As part of the celebration, Linda Dirle, president of the Newport News Stake Relief Society will present copies of histories of the local organization to charter society members living on the Peninsula. Copies of the histories also will be sent to surviving original members living elsewhere.

In addition to today's activities, local members will observe the sesquicentennial with community service projects. There are more than 900 members in the Newport News Stake.

The Relief Society, with 3.1 million members worldwide, is dedicated to women's education, development and support. The organization was started March 17, 1842, to help many people, including the poor and young.